Uncertain Reds future for Marlon

Neil Goulding
Barnsley

BLACKPOOL loanee Marlon Harewood has had no problem finding his feet at Oakwell.

The former West Ham and Aston Villa striker has scored four goals for the Reds in eight starts thus far.

And there could be more goals to come with four games remaining until his loan spell in South Yorkshire comes to an end.

Whether or not the Reds can sign the player on a permanent deal in the summer remains to be seen, but for now the 31-year-old is enjoying his football in the Championship.

“Marlon’s being doing OK, he’s enjoying himself, that’s the most important thing,” Robins told The Star.

“He’s scored a few goals for us and settled in well, long may that continue.

“It took him a couple of games to get his fitness back and settle in, but he’d be out with an injury for a while.

“But he’s scored some good goals for us. He’s a big strong forward and you can see he makes life difficult for defenders.”

Harewood started the season with the Seasiders and bagged a brilliant brace as the Lancashire club started their Premier League campaign with a thumping 4-0 whitewash of Wigan Athletic.

But despite scoring a further three goals for the newly-promoted top flight side, Harewood soon found himself surplus to requirements at Bloomfield Road and was loaned out to Barnsley at the end of February until the end of the season.

Harewood featured as an early substitute in his first match against Norwich City after Bobby Hassell limped off injured and, ever since then, he has been an ever-present in the Reds’ line-up.

However, with finances tight at Oakwell, Robins might find it tough to cover the striker’s wages if a permanent deal could be penned.

“We’ve got to prudent what we do at the football club,” added Robins. “We’ve done well in the loan market, the players I’ve brought in have done well for us.”